I will shake all nations, and the desired of
all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. (Haggai 2:7)
The Zondervan commentary for this verse says that there is some debate about "desired of all nations will come" because "the desired" is singular, and "will come" is plural. It could be a reference to the Messiah, who will come or it could be a reference to desired things that will come. It goes further to say that "fill this house with glory" tilts the interpretation toward the Messiah.
Is the Messiah desired of all nations? If that were so, wouldn't there be many times more Christians? This is one of those verses that seems to cry out for further consideration. Do the nations desire the Messiah? The answers are "no" and "yes." People don't want to be told what to do especially if it's not what they want to do. At the same time, American elections and America's response to politicians are perfect examples of how deeply we want a Messiah. We want the knight in shining armor to fix everything so that we can live happily ever after. We don't want him to stay because he makes us very aware of how imperfect we are by comparison. We want him on retainer.
America's not the only people like this. It's human nature both singly and collectively to desire a messiah. It's also human nature to resent him. What we need to remember, however, is that all we desire will be found in Him and in no other.
The Zondervan commentary for this verse says that there is some debate about "desired of all nations will come" because "the desired" is singular, and "will come" is plural. It could be a reference to the Messiah, who will come or it could be a reference to desired things that will come. It goes further to say that "fill this house with glory" tilts the interpretation toward the Messiah.
Is the Messiah desired of all nations? If that were so, wouldn't there be many times more Christians? This is one of those verses that seems to cry out for further consideration. Do the nations desire the Messiah? The answers are "no" and "yes." People don't want to be told what to do especially if it's not what they want to do. At the same time, American elections and America's response to politicians are perfect examples of how deeply we want a Messiah. We want the knight in shining armor to fix everything so that we can live happily ever after. We don't want him to stay because he makes us very aware of how imperfect we are by comparison. We want him on retainer.
America's not the only people like this. It's human nature both singly and collectively to desire a messiah. It's also human nature to resent him. What we need to remember, however, is that all we desire will be found in Him and in no other.
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